Mum bowel and liver cancer

Absolutely devastated my mum has been diagnosed with stage 1 liver and bowel cancer with some small cancerous lymph nodes around her heart. She looks so well and has some discomfort but it's absolutely crazy. She's  73 and has had bad luck and I'll health with mobility etc over the years but has fought so much in life. Polyps removed - many, womb lining thickening but non cancerous over the last 30 years or so, falsely diagnosed with Alzheimer's for 5 years then a severe car accident where she broke her neck in 2 places and has to wear a halo brace. She is my best friend and I don't know how to cope with it all. She's a massive part of our close family with my children and I adoring her and my dad's soul mate. They say they can't treat it due to lots of health issues and chemo would just make her unwell. We don't know prognosis yet will know more in 2 weeks. Broken .

  • Hi Gem26, 

    I am so sorry to hear your mum has been diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer and that some cancerous lymph nodes around her heart have been identified. Your mum does sound like a fighter and she has certainly been through a lot and it must have been incredibly stressful for her to have been falsely diagnosed with Alzheimer's for 5 years and to top it all being the victim of a serious car accident. 

    You seem to be a lovely family and it's so sad that her health issues are making it difficult to treat her - have you been told that chemotherapy would not be an option? I hope that you find out more in 2 weeks about what her options might be and during this time of uncertainty it might be comforting for you to know that you are always welcome to give our cancer nurses a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their helpline is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and they will be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

    It's normal to feel broken in a situation like this and it can be hard to know what to do and how best to support a loved one who has been diagnosed with cancer. We have some useful information for Family, friends and carers which will give you some good tips on how to support someone with cancer without also forgetting to take care of yourself. 

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

  • Apparently it's rogue cancer and until next Wednesday we don't know much else, they don't know where the primary source is. They want her to have a mammogram and more biopsy again next week like they have done previously through her back area. It's devastating to not know or not know how much time we have yet. Chemo and radiotherapy they said is a no go but will know more after more tests x